About Us:
EMS Chronicles is Edendale Middle School’s news site. It is the focus of the 7th and 8th grade journalism class, a year long elective. Our purpose is to inform the Edendale community about local, state, national and global news. Our staff works hard to cover issues and topics of interest to the Edendale community. We are still building a website and our goal is to post it by the end of the 2021- 2022 school year.
Thank you,
-The staff of EMS Chronicles
A Journey with a Skateboard
by Jeremy N.
Cristian S., an Edendale Middle School student, has been a skater for 3 years of his life. Later this skill he developed for fun helped him relieve stress, and find peace at mind.
“I started skating because I saw other people doing it and thought it looked sick. As I got better, I realized that when I skate my mind is completely distracted and I don't worry about the world around me.”
Cris skates on a daily basis. He goes out for rides and skate sessions. He discovered this passion for skating in the fifth grade. A journey he started for fun is now an exhilarating part of his life and has helped him become more social and learn valuable lessons.
As he began learning, Cris was a shy person. As an effort to learn more he went to skateparks and watched more experienced skaters, and how they performed. There the kindness of other skaters helped him become more social.
“Going to the skatepark for the first time was kind of nerve-racking. I wasn't the talkative kind and there were a lot of people there. I was kind of just sitting thinking if I should go or not when some guy I never met asked me if I was just learning how to skate. We talked and he offered to help me learn some of the basics.”
As Cris became an experienced skater he learned failing and succeeding. Cris now believes that anyone can learn to do anything if they put the time and effort into doing it.
“I remember I was trying to learn a dolphin flip and I messed up my foot placement or I didn't land right and ended up twisting my ankle. I gave it some time to heal but after I did I went right back to trying to learn the dolphin flip. After a while I ended up being pretty good at it. I really learned that I shouldn't give up just because something is hard.”
As Cris sees more people want to get into skating, he remembers when he began and what he went through to learn to skate.
“I personally like newer skaters. I think that as long as they put the effort into learning and they enjoy skating then they're doing great. I have nothing but respect for the new generation of skaters.”
Why we Need History
by Mekhi A.
Mr. Latimer, an Edendale Middle School history teacher, believes it is important to know about the past and why you are here. It is always great to know where you come from.
“We learn history because it is important to our everyday lives to know about our past and mistakes so we don't repeat them again. And to know what we completed so we can avoid our mistakes in the past and repeat the success from the past.''
Some people may have a negative feeling about learning history, but really it is important . Additionally not everything you hear is true , which is why we need to learn history.
“In history you have to be right about it if you want to talk about it and not everybody knows everything so you have to be taught that is why we need history teachers. And just because it is written on paper doesn't mean it's true.”
Freedom to Teach
by Cameron V.
Brian Miller, a 30-year-old Edendale Middle School teacher, teaches Driver’s Education, works for the Oakland A’s, and is passionate about freedom.
He has researched freedom since a young age. “This passion for freedom impacts my life and others by allowing us to live true and authentic lives. Having the ability to speak and think freely creates a society of open dialogue and generates new ideas. Being able to express yourself freely enables you to find your true self and reach your full potential.”
Miller realized that not everyone in the world had the same rights and freedom as he does. He realizes the rights he has and the power he has to make opportunities on his own.
“These opportunities can be big like how I’m educated or where I live or even small things like what I choose to eat or how I choose to dress. The fact I can make those decisions for myself and know that I am responsible for the life I live is empowering.”
He explains what he thinks freedom is and what challenges come with having freedom. Freedom can be subjective and defined differently by different people.
“I personally believe that anyone should have the right to do what they want, as long as it does not hurt others and prevent them from their own right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Being passionate about freedom can have its challenges because not all people want others to practice their freedom.”
Miller believes that protecting and exercising individual freedoms to uplift and empower others.
“I want to see more people around the world enjoy the benefits of a meaningful life that is self-discovered. Being able to pursue your own dreams and create the life you desire is special. Without freedom, you may be told how to act, who to love, and your whole life may be determined for you.”
Sports, School, and Mr. Lopes
by John D. and Brizjon P.
Mr. Lopes, an Edendale Middle School counselor, always wanted to be an athlete. Before coming to Edendale, Mr. Lopes taught ELA, Journalism and coached basketball. Without sports he would’ve never become the man he is today.
Mr. Lopes said without sports, “I would be a lonely person.''
Sports can help you get into shape, open opportunities, and change the way you see yourself. Because he has been involved in sports Mr. Lopes has developed dignity, confidence, and self respect.
He said being involved in sports has given him “very high self esteem and [happiness].”
Mr. Lopes improved in sports over time.These improvements gave him new popularity.
“Girls began to like me more.”
Mr. Lopes was happy when he first started playing football because he said Mr. Lopes has a very good relationship with sports because without sports he said he would and he would gain more weight and be out of shape. And, it’s been like that forever.
“My first game I scored a touchdown.”
Inspired By Art
by Vanessa E.
Joselyn S, an 8th grade student at Edendale Middle School, discovered her passion for art in the 5th grade. Since Joselyn likes to make new things, she wants to inspire people to sketch. She likes to produce art because she saw a family member create art.
Joselyn said, ¨I think I choose art to be my passion because I would see my uncle draw and I just wanted to try it out because he inspired me, and art just got my attention. Which then I tried and I loved it.¨
Joselyn knew art was her passion since she wanted to make sketchings and paintings. She likes to make new things and have her own creations.
¨Art changed me by being more creative and it also changed my whole personality,¨Joselyn said.
Joselyn always wants to encourage people to do what they want, especially for art. By expressing yourself, you can change their view of art.
¨You should show your art because you worked so hard and your art is really good. However, if you show your art to others you can inspire someone, by your art and they can try it out.¨
Even though art may have some difficulties like the detailing and blending, Joselyn still has good memories of art.
“My favorite memory of doing art is that, when I was in 5th grade I did a portrait of myself, and I remember I was so happy that I just had to show my family.”
Thaynara's Travels
by Zya G.
Thaynara, A 7th grade student who goes to Edendale Middle School, moved here on March 6 2020 from Brazil. She loves to travel but she has to have limits.
She moved to California from Para Santana Brazil. She had lived there for 10 and a half years. Leaving her home, Thaynara had found out she loves to travel.
“Traveling has allowed me to meet new people and try new food, but it also has helped my ideas on who I want to be.”
Traveling ever since she was a baby, Thaynara has never been the one to stay in the same place for long. Staying in place for too long left a bad taste in her mouth or it felt weird like she wasn’t supposed to be here. All of those plane rides she had, Thaynara was given a love for traveling. What started as an annoyance became a passion.
“Whenever I stay in one place there's like a door, a forbidden door that I want to open.”
So she didn’t remember much about where her parents traveled but she always saw the pictures. Thaynara always thought it was dumb, because she aways thought why would you waste so much money if you could live near them. And that forever sticks to her.
The moment Thaynara had gotten on a plane it felt like her whole body and mind was gone like she was the one flying.
Moving around seems stressful. When she moved to San Francisco she was made fun of a lot, because she spoke Portuguese. However, Flying brings her peace of mind.
“Flying in a plane seems to clear my head like the clouds.”
Thaynara says that she didn’t feel welcome with open arms but with colden ones.
Although she misses her home place she loves where she is standing.
“ “I closed myself like an old book and didn’t dare to open or speak”
I finally opened the door that was always locked!” Thaynara giggled.
220 Miles and Still Hiking
by Isabella A.
Joseph Knudsen, an Edendale Middle School teacher, is 27 years old, has been a substitute teacher for many years, and is someone who likes history. He has been hired as a full time teacher now and enjoys traveling by foot.
He says “I'm passionate about hiking.”
He started hiking a few years ago as something to help him relax. At the time, he was in college. It was 2013, and he decided to go on a trip with his friends.
Mr. Knudsen said, “[I was] on a trip with friends and fell in love with [hiking].”
Hiking can make you tired, but it also gives you energy. The hiking experience awakens your senses - especially the long ones.
“[The] longest hike I have done was the John Muir Trail. It was 220 miles.”
Teaching for Justice
by Salvador M.
Tina Eng, an ELD teacher at Edendale Middle School, is 36, likes rock climbing, and is passionate about racial justice. She found out her passion for racial justice in grad school.
In fact, one of the reasons she teaches is to create a better environment for her students.
She said, “[I] really want a better future for my daughter and students.”
There are a lot of reasons why there are not enough teachers in the world. One, a lack of fully qualified applicants. Two, salary and/or benefits are lacking compared to other careers. And three, fewer new education school graduates.However, teaching has allowed Ms. Eng to be more productive with her life, expand her knowledge of racial justice, and keep active.
Ms. Eng said, “if I never discovered teaching, my life would be boring.”
Ms. Eng is a passionate teacher who cares deeply about justice. She believes that through education, students can improve their opportunities and learn how to create more racial equality in their community.
When asked about her challenges, she said ¨getting every student to care about their own learning, I think deep down students want to learn and I also believe that students have the capacity and ability to learn.¨
The Principal of Yoga
by Cordni S.
Ms. Guzman is a principal at Edendale Middle School, a mom and she used to dance. But now she does yoga. So why did she switch to yoga??
“I used to be a dancer and a dance teacher and after 16 years teaching and coaching dance competitively my studio closed. I wanted to find something to remain active and so I found a local yoga studio not too far from my house and I started taking classes probably about 3 years ago.”
Yoga is a way to relax where you practice breath control, simple meditation, and specific bodily postures. According to TheGoodBody.com, 36 million Americans practice yoga on a regular basis.
“Yoga is one of those things that looks a lot easier than it actually is. It actually can be very challenging to do some of the poses.”
Yoga makes Ms. Guzman think of her dancing days. However, it’s not quite the same.
“It was close enough to dancing [but it] didn't feel like exercise because I don't like to exercise.”
The Anatomy of a Teacher
by Stephen P.
Ms.Can, an Edendale Middle School science teacher, is passionate about science, anatomy and teaching. Before teaching, she worked in a lab, but she realized that she didn’t like working alone.
“I realized working in a lab wasn’t for me, so I thought teaching and learning with other people was the right choice.”
In her high school days she always found the things that she did in science cool..
As she went to high school and college she started getting more invested and intrigued in science as she did hands-on science work.
“When I was in college I studied anatomy and I was really interested in many different types of animals.”
Transitioning to teaching was not easy. Ms. Can knew a lot about science but wasn’t sure if she knew all she needed to know.
“My first few years I was really nervous, I was afraid I didn’t know enough to teach students.”
Now, Ms.Can has been teaching science for over 20 years and it doesn’t look like she’ll be retiring soon because science and teaching is her passion. Ms.Can wants to learn more about the world and work with people everyday and help them whenever they need it.
”I think my favorite thing about science is you’re never done learning, There will always be something new to [learn]”.
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